Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his resignation from the ice cream brand he helped establish nearly 50 years ago. In a letter shared by his fellow co-founder, Ben Cohen, Greenfield described his departure as one of the “hardest and most painful decisions” of his life. He expressed concerns that the company’s independence had been compromised under the ownership of Unilever, stating that its ability to advocate for global issues has been “silenced.”
In his letter, Greenfield emphasized that if Ben & Jerry’s could not stand up for its core values, then its existence was not justified. He noted that the autonomy they once enjoyed was significantly protected by a merger agreement he and Cohen negotiated with Unilever. However, he believes that this independence is now a thing of the past.
Company Dynamics and Unilever’s Role
Reports indicate that tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever have been escalating since at least 2021. The ice cream maker made headlines when it announced plans to cease sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a decision that sparked significant backlash. Greenfield’s resignation follows an ongoing conflict between the brand and its parent company regarding the company’s social mission and political stances.
Adding to the turmoil, Cohen revealed last week that Ben & Jerry’s attempted to negotiate a sale to investors at a fair market value of between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, but the proposal was rejected by Unilever. This situation highlights the challenges that arise when a brand known for its social activism is owned by a larger corporation.
Despite multiple attempts to communicate with Unilever regarding these issues, both Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever had not responded to requests for comment from Reuters at the time of publication.
Legal Actions and Future Implications
The conflict has reached a legal stage, with Ben & Jerry’s filing a lawsuit against Unilever. The lawsuit alleges that Unilever has made attempts to suppress the brand’s voice on critical social issues. Greenfield’s resignation further complicates the already fragile relationship between the companies and raises questions about the future direction of Ben & Jerry’s.
Furthermore, Greenfield’s departure signals a potential shift in the brand’s identity and its commitment to its founding principles. The company has long been associated with progressive values, and its founders have been vocal about their beliefs.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Ben & Jerry’s will navigate its mission in a landscape marked by corporate oversight and political controversy.
